Proven Winners® Staircase™ Orange Lupine
Lupinus polyphyllus 'Staircase Orange'
- Stay Protected with Plant Sentry ™
Proven Winners® Staircase™ Orange Lupine - #2 Container is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry is designed to protect both consumers and the nursery trade from invasive plant pests and diseases. Sites that display the Plant Sentry protection badge are protected from consumers buying and nurseries shipping material carrying invasive pests and diseases.
This proprietary eCommerce software prevents the shipment of a restricted plant to each state. The Plant Sentry system includes a shipment certification program. The Plant Sentry Compliance Officer works closely with NatureHills.com and each nursery or fulfillment center to ensure only compliant plants are sold to customers.
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Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Shipping
To obtain a more accurate shipment time-frame, simply enter your zip code in the “Find Your Growing Zone” box to the right. Our plants are grown all over the country and lead time on items may be different because of this. Once your order is placed, you will also receive the specific shipment time-frame information as part of your order confirmation. Once an item ships, you will receive shipment notification and tracking numbers, so you can follow along while your plant travels to your doorstep. We use FedEx, UPS, or USPS at our discretion.
Due to winter weather we have put a hold on shipping to the areas shown below in grey. You can still order now and we will ship the plant to you during an appropriate time for your zone.
Standard Shipping Rates
At Nature Hills we handle, package and ship the products you order with the utmost care to ensure healthy delivery. Shipping and handling charges are calculated based on the tables below. Please note that some items include an additional handling surcharge, these will be noted on the item's product page.
| From | To | S&H |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $19.99 | $24.99 |
| $20 | $49.99 | $29.99 |
| $50 | $69.99 | $34.99 |
| $70 | $99.99 | $39.99 |
| $100 | $129.99 | $44.99 |
| $130 | $149.99 | $48.99 |
| $150 | $150+ | Approx 28% |
Click here to see our full rates
Understanding Plant Options
Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:
- Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
- Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements
Container Plant Sizes
Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.
Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 2" x 2" x 3" | 0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts | 0.20 - 0.23 dry liters |
| 4" Container | 0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts | 0.35 - 0.96 dry liters |
| 4.5" Container | 0.65 dry quarts | 0.72 dry liters |
| 6" Container | 1.4 dry quarts | 1.59 dry liters |
| 1 Quart | 1 dry quart | 1.1 dry liters |
| 5.5" Container | 1.89 dry quarts | 2.08 dry liters |
Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Quart | 2 dry quarts | 2.2 dry liters |
| #1 Container | 2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts | 2.49 - 4.11 dry liters |
| 5" x 5" x 12" | 3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts | 3.85 - 4.74 dry liters |
Mature Plants (2-4 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| #2 Container | 1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons | 5.24 - 7.75 dry liters |
| #3 Container | 2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons | 8.14 - 12.16 dry liters |
Large Plants (3-5 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| #5 Container | 2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons | 12.86 - 20.35 dry liters |
| #6 Container | 5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons | 23.12 - 26.42 dry liters |
| #7 Container | 5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons | 26.34 - 28.76 dry liters |
Bare Root Plants
Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.
Common Sizes:
- Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
- Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet
Important Notes
Container Volume Specifications
- Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
- Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
- Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents
Growing Conditions
- Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
- Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
- Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment
Seasonal Availability
- Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
- Container plants are available throughout the growing season
- Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes
Questions?
For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.
Plant Highlights
Proven Winners® Staircase™ Orange Lupine highlights at a glance!
Specifications
Specifications
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Brand
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Botanical Name
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Growing Zones
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Mature Height
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Mature Spread
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Sun ExposureFull Sun
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Moisture
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Soil
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Growth RateMedium
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Flower Color
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Pollinator Friendly
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Pruning Time
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Bloom PeriodSummer, Late Spring
Growing Zones
Staircase™ Orange Lupine – Vibrant Fiery Blooms
Elevate your garden with the brightly colored Proven Winners® Staircase™ Orange Lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus 'Staircase Orange') sets the garden ablaze with its striking, spire-like flowers in shades of deep orange, apricot, and coral!
This reblooming beauty graces the landscape with vertical elegance, offering a dramatic display in late spring to early summer with a possible encore in fall. Pollinators can't resist its nectar-rich blooms, making it a magnet for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Plus, its fragrant flowers add an extra sensory delight!
This perennial forms a lush, bushy mound of palmate, deep green foliage that serves as the perfect backdrop for its towering floral spikes. In folklore, Lupines symbolize imagination and happiness, bringing a sense of joy to any garden they grace.
Key Features
- Stunning fiery orange, apricot, and coral flower spikes
- Blooms in late spring to early summer, with possible fall rebloom
- Fragrant and highly attractive to pollinators
- Thrives in USDA Zones 4-8
- Nitrogen-fixing plant that improves soil health
- Tolerates drought once established
Landscaping Uses
Staircase™ Orange Lupine adds vertical drama with its tall flower spikes and bushy green foliage, making it an excellent choice for mixed beds and borders. Reaching 24 inches tall and about 24 inches wide, its bold presence is perfect for back borders, cottage gardens, and wildflower meadows.
- Cottage gardens for an old-fashioned charm
- Wildflower meadows for a naturalized look
- Pollinator gardens to attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds
- Mixed perennial borders and Rock Gardens for bold, vertical accents
- The deep tap roots make them drought-tolerant and prevent erosion
- Mass plantings for a striking seasonal display
- Salt-tolerant and ideal for coastal landscapes.
Care and Maintenance
A member of the Pea family, and native to California, this Lupine thrives in cooler climates and performs best in USDA Zones 4-8. It prefers well-drained soils and enjoys full sun to partial shade. Its deep taproot makes it highly drought-tolerant once established, and it even enriches the soil by fixing nitrogen! As an herbaceous perennial, this Lupine returns each spring with vigor.
- Planting Time: Spring or fall.
- Sun Needs: Full sun to partial shade.
- Soil Needs: Well-drained, sandy, loamy, or slightly acidic soil. The deep tap root does not tolerate heavy clay or poor drainage.
- Moisture Needs: Moderate moisture needs; drought-tolerant once established.
- Mulch: 3-4 inches of arborist mulch to conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature.
- Fertilization Needs: Light feeding in spring with a balanced fertilizer; avoid high nitrogen.
- Pruning Info: Deadhead spent blooms to encourage reblooming and prevent self-seeding. In fall, trim back the foliage.
- Renewal Pruning: Cut back in fall after foliage dies back.
- Special Needs/Perks/Growing Tips:
- Deer and rabbit resistant
- Nitrogen-fixing plant that improves soil health
- Prefers cool weather; may struggle in hot, humid climates
- Handles sandy and rocky soils well
Fiery Spikes for a Show-Stopping Garden
Lupines have long been a favorite of cottage gardeners and wildflower lovers, and Staircase™ Orange Lupine takes that admiration to new heights with its dazzling fiery tones and reblooming nature. Whether you're looking to create a pollinator paradise or simply add a vibrant splash of color, this perennial is a must-have.
Order this Proven Winners® selection now from Nature Hills Nursery and get ready to enjoy a breathtaking floral show!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Lupines come back every year?
Yes! Staircase™ Orange Lupine is a perennial that returns bigger and better each year, dying back in winter and re-emerging in spring.
How do I encourage my Lupine to rebloom?
Deadhead spent blooms promptly to encourage a second flush of flowers in late summer or early fall.
Can Lupines grow in clay soil?
Lupines prefer well-drained, sandy, or loamy soil and do not tolerate heavy clay. If you have clay soil, amend it with organic matter or plant in raised beds.
Do I need to fertilize my Lupine?
Lupines are nitrogen-fixers, meaning they naturally enrich the soil. However, a light feeding in spring with a balanced, low-nitrogen fertilizer can encourage more blooms.
Is Staircase™ Orange Lupine deer-resistant?
Yes, Lupines are generally deer and rabbit resistant due to their slightly toxic foliage. However, no plant is completely deer-proof.
